Chinese Holly
Ilex cornuta
An evergreen shrub featuring dense, glossy dark green leaves with distinct sharp spines at the corners and tips, along with bright red spherical fruit structures appearing in autumn and winter.
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal density and fruit production.
- Water
- Water deeply and regularly when the top few inches of soil become dry. Once established, it tolerates brief dry spells, but prolonged drought will cause leaf drop.
- Growth
- Dense, rounded evergreen shrub with a slow to moderate growth rate, typically maturing to a height and spread of 8 to 10 feet if left unpruned.
Care instructions
Provide full sun to partial shade with consistently moist, well-draining acidic soil. Water deeply during establishment and regularly during dry periods. Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring before new growth begins.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal density and fruit production.
Watering
Water deeply and regularly when the top few inches of soil become dry. Once established, it tolerates brief dry spells, but prolonged drought will cause leaf drop.
Soil
Prefers rich, organic, well-drained loamy or sandy soils with an acidic pH ranging from 5.0 to 6.0.
Hardiness zone
USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 9, exhibiting good heat tolerance but requiring protection from severe freezing winds.
Growth habit
Dense, rounded evergreen shrub with a slow to moderate growth rate, typically maturing to a height and spread of 8 to 10 feet if left unpruned.
Bloom season
Spring, producing small, inconspicuous greenish-white flowers that are followed by glossy, bright red spherical structures maturing in autumn and persisting through winter.
Propagation
Propagated primarily through semi-hardwood cuttings taken in summer using rooting hormone, or less commonly from seeds.
Common pests & issues
Generally resilient, but susceptible to leaf spot, powdery mildew, and scale insects. Ensure good air circulation and avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
Similar species
Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata), which features small, rounded leaves without sharp spines, easily distinguished from the sharply pointed foliage of Chinese Holly.